'WTF?' World reacts to Trump’s vow of US expansionism
Donald Trump’s son, Donald Jr (second right), visits Greenland in January 2025. AP/Alamy
Brett Wilkins
Common Dreams
Donald Trump’s son, Donald Jr (second right), visits Greenland in January 2025. AP/Alamy
Brett Wilkins
Common Dreams
January 21, 2025
While the global far-right cheered President Donald Trump's return to the White House on Monday, world leaders, elected officials, activists, and others from across the rest of the political spectrum reacted with trepidation as the Republican vowed to expand the nation's territory for the first time in nearly 80 years and threatened the sovereignty of a U.S. trade and security partner.
In his second inaugural address, Trump promised a foreign policy that "expands our territory," as well as the renewed pursuit of "Manifest Destiny"—the 19th-century belief that God intended the United States to control the continent from coast to coast—beyond Earth by "launching American astronauts to plant the stars and stripes on the planet Mars."
In the United States, Monday's inauguration coincided with the federal holiday honoring the assassinated civil rights champion Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., whom Trump mentioned in his speech. Some observers noted the incongruity of Trump's message with King's anti-war ethos.
"How dare Donald Trump invoke Dr. King," pan-African studies professor and Black Lives Matter Los Angeles co-founder Melina Abdullah fumed on social media. "Trump IS the embodiment of the three evils that MLK warned of: racism, materialism, and militarism."
Indigenous voices reminded listeners that belief in Manifest Destiny fueled genocidal violence against Native Americans.
"Trump is really going after Native Americans with references to Manifest Destiny, the frontier, Wild West, and erasing Denali's name," attorney Brett Chapman, a direct descendant of the Ponca Cshief White Eagle, said on social media. "This anti-Indigenous inaugural address sounds like one from the 1800s when presidents deployed the U.S. military on Native Americans seeking rights."
In his speech, Trump falsely accused China of "running the Panama Canal," said that Panama—which was last invaded by American forces in 1989—is overcharging U.S. ships to use the crucial waterway, and warned that "we're taking it back."
As angry demonstrators rallied outside the U.S. Embassy in Panama City, right-wing Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino issued a statement refuting Trump's threats and accusations and declaring that "the canal is and will continue to be Panamanian."
Trump's threat follows his refusal earlier this month to rule out the use of military force in order to conquer the Panama Canal or Greenland, a territory of NATO ally Denmark.
South American progressives were left stunned by parts of Trump's address.
"In his inauguration speech, Donald Trump made it clear that reality surpasses fiction," Carol Dartora, a leftist lawmaker in the lower chamber of Brazil's National Congress, said in a video posted online. "Then the U.S. president exuded machismo, imperialism, and xenophobia, especially against immigrants."
Across the Atlantic, former center-right Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt said: "Now we know that President Trump wants to 'expand our territory.' That's a dangerous statement in itself, but then others around the world might also be inspired to do the same. It's a recipe for global instability."German author, filmmaker, and journalist Annette Dittert responded to Trump's expansionist pledge with a popular three-letter internet acronym: "'We will become a nation that expands our territory?' WTF?"
While the global far-right cheered President Donald Trump's return to the White House on Monday, world leaders, elected officials, activists, and others from across the rest of the political spectrum reacted with trepidation as the Republican vowed to expand the nation's territory for the first time in nearly 80 years and threatened the sovereignty of a U.S. trade and security partner.
In his second inaugural address, Trump promised a foreign policy that "expands our territory," as well as the renewed pursuit of "Manifest Destiny"—the 19th-century belief that God intended the United States to control the continent from coast to coast—beyond Earth by "launching American astronauts to plant the stars and stripes on the planet Mars."
In the United States, Monday's inauguration coincided with the federal holiday honoring the assassinated civil rights champion Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., whom Trump mentioned in his speech. Some observers noted the incongruity of Trump's message with King's anti-war ethos.
"How dare Donald Trump invoke Dr. King," pan-African studies professor and Black Lives Matter Los Angeles co-founder Melina Abdullah fumed on social media. "Trump IS the embodiment of the three evils that MLK warned of: racism, materialism, and militarism."
Indigenous voices reminded listeners that belief in Manifest Destiny fueled genocidal violence against Native Americans.
"Trump is really going after Native Americans with references to Manifest Destiny, the frontier, Wild West, and erasing Denali's name," attorney Brett Chapman, a direct descendant of the Ponca Cshief White Eagle, said on social media. "This anti-Indigenous inaugural address sounds like one from the 1800s when presidents deployed the U.S. military on Native Americans seeking rights."
In his speech, Trump falsely accused China of "running the Panama Canal," said that Panama—which was last invaded by American forces in 1989—is overcharging U.S. ships to use the crucial waterway, and warned that "we're taking it back."
As angry demonstrators rallied outside the U.S. Embassy in Panama City, right-wing Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino issued a statement refuting Trump's threats and accusations and declaring that "the canal is and will continue to be Panamanian."
Trump's threat follows his refusal earlier this month to rule out the use of military force in order to conquer the Panama Canal or Greenland, a territory of NATO ally Denmark.
South American progressives were left stunned by parts of Trump's address.
"In his inauguration speech, Donald Trump made it clear that reality surpasses fiction," Carol Dartora, a leftist lawmaker in the lower chamber of Brazil's National Congress, said in a video posted online. "Then the U.S. president exuded machismo, imperialism, and xenophobia, especially against immigrants."
Across the Atlantic, former center-right Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt said: "Now we know that President Trump wants to 'expand our territory.' That's a dangerous statement in itself, but then others around the world might also be inspired to do the same. It's a recipe for global instability."German author, filmmaker, and journalist Annette Dittert responded to Trump's expansionist pledge with a popular three-letter internet acronym: "'We will become a nation that expands our territory?' WTF?"
By AFP
January 20, 2025
US President Donald Trump took aim at Panama in his inaugural address
- Copyright POOL/AFP SAUL LOEB
Shaun TANDON
President Donald Trump on Monday cast himself as a peacemaker in his second inaugural address, but immediately vowed that the United States would be “taking back” the Panama Canal.
Trump issued the threat without explaining details after weeks of refusing to rule out military action against Panama over the waterway, which the United States handed over at the end of 1999.
“Above all, China is operating the Panama Canal, and we didn’t give it to China, we gave it to Panama. And we’re taking it back,” Trump said after being sworn in inside the US Capitol.
Panama maintains control of the canal but Chinese companies have been steadily increasing their presence around the vital shipping link between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino swiftly denied that any other nation was interfering in the canal, which he said his country operated with a principle of neutrality.
“The canal is and will remain Panama’s,” Mulino said, calling for dialogue to address any issues.
At his inauguration, Trump said that the United States has been “treated very badly from this foolish gift that should have never been made.”
“The purpose of our deal and the spirit of our treaty has been totally violated. American ships are being severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way, shape or form, and that includes the United States Navy,” he said.
Marco Rubio, Trump’s choice for secretary of state, stopped short of threatening military action during his confirmation hearing last week but warned that China through its influence could effectively shut down the Panama Canal to the United States in a crisis.
“This is a legitimate issue that needs to be confronted,” Rubio said.
Trump has also not ruled out force to seize Greenland, an autonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark where Russia has been increasingly active as ice melts due to climate change.
The Panama Canal was built by the United States mostly with Afro-Caribbean labor and opened in 1914.
Former US president Jimmy Carter, who died last month, negotiated its return in 1977, saying he saw a moral responsibility to respect a less powerful but fully sovereign nation.
– ‘Peacemaker and unifier’ –
Trump pledged an “America First” policy of prioritizing US interests above all else. He has put a focus on cracking down on undocumented immigration and said he will deploy the military to the border with Mexico.
But Trump also cast himself as a peacemaker and pointed to a Gaza ceasefire deal whose implementation began Sunday.
“My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier. That’s what I want to be — a peacemaker and a unifier,” he said.
The Gaza ceasefire, which includes an exchange of hostages and prisoners, follows the outlines of a proposal outlined in May by then-president Joe Biden, but it was pushed through after intensive last-minute diplomacy by envoys of both Biden and Trump.
Trump has also promised to end the war in Ukraine by pushing for compromises — a contrast to Biden’s approach of supporting Kyiv to a potential military victory.
Despite Trump’s vow to be a unifier, he immediately fired a symbolic but provocative shot above the bow to Mexico.
He said in his address that the United States would start referring to the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” — making the water body the latest in the world whose name is disputed between neighbors.
“America will reclaim its rightful place as the greatest, most powerful, most respected nation on Earth, inspiring the awe and admiration of the entire world,” Trump said.
Shaun TANDON
President Donald Trump on Monday cast himself as a peacemaker in his second inaugural address, but immediately vowed that the United States would be “taking back” the Panama Canal.
Trump issued the threat without explaining details after weeks of refusing to rule out military action against Panama over the waterway, which the United States handed over at the end of 1999.
“Above all, China is operating the Panama Canal, and we didn’t give it to China, we gave it to Panama. And we’re taking it back,” Trump said after being sworn in inside the US Capitol.
Panama maintains control of the canal but Chinese companies have been steadily increasing their presence around the vital shipping link between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino swiftly denied that any other nation was interfering in the canal, which he said his country operated with a principle of neutrality.
“The canal is and will remain Panama’s,” Mulino said, calling for dialogue to address any issues.
At his inauguration, Trump said that the United States has been “treated very badly from this foolish gift that should have never been made.”
“The purpose of our deal and the spirit of our treaty has been totally violated. American ships are being severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way, shape or form, and that includes the United States Navy,” he said.
Marco Rubio, Trump’s choice for secretary of state, stopped short of threatening military action during his confirmation hearing last week but warned that China through its influence could effectively shut down the Panama Canal to the United States in a crisis.
“This is a legitimate issue that needs to be confronted,” Rubio said.
Trump has also not ruled out force to seize Greenland, an autonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark where Russia has been increasingly active as ice melts due to climate change.
The Panama Canal was built by the United States mostly with Afro-Caribbean labor and opened in 1914.
Former US president Jimmy Carter, who died last month, negotiated its return in 1977, saying he saw a moral responsibility to respect a less powerful but fully sovereign nation.
– ‘Peacemaker and unifier’ –
Trump pledged an “America First” policy of prioritizing US interests above all else. He has put a focus on cracking down on undocumented immigration and said he will deploy the military to the border with Mexico.
But Trump also cast himself as a peacemaker and pointed to a Gaza ceasefire deal whose implementation began Sunday.
“My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier. That’s what I want to be — a peacemaker and a unifier,” he said.
The Gaza ceasefire, which includes an exchange of hostages and prisoners, follows the outlines of a proposal outlined in May by then-president Joe Biden, but it was pushed through after intensive last-minute diplomacy by envoys of both Biden and Trump.
Trump has also promised to end the war in Ukraine by pushing for compromises — a contrast to Biden’s approach of supporting Kyiv to a potential military victory.
Despite Trump’s vow to be a unifier, he immediately fired a symbolic but provocative shot above the bow to Mexico.
He said in his address that the United States would start referring to the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” — making the water body the latest in the world whose name is disputed between neighbors.
“America will reclaim its rightful place as the greatest, most powerful, most respected nation on Earth, inspiring the awe and admiration of the entire world,” Trump said.
Hillary Clinton can't stop herself from laughing at Trump during inauguration speech
Jennifer Bowers Bahney
January 20, 2025
RAW STORY
Hillary Clinton laughing (Krista Kennell / Shutterstock.com)
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton couldn't help but laugh when Donald Trump said that he was signing an executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
Trump made the vow during his inaugural address inside the Capitol on Monday.
"America will reclaim its rightful place as the greatest, most powerful, most respected nation on earth inspiring the awe, admiration of the entire world" Trump said during his inauguration speech. "A short time from now, we will be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and we will be restoring the name of a great president, William McKinley, to Mount McKinley, where it should be and where it belongs."
Clinton can be seen giggling to herself while keeping her eyes lowered. No one around her seemed to notice.
CBS News reported, "During the transition, Mr. Trump had vowed to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said last week that she would direct her staff to draft legislation for the renaming that would make it effective on federal maps and administrative policy. While the name change could be applied for federal references, other nations would have no obligation to follow suit."
According to the U.S. State Department, the Gulf of Mexico is officially split between the U.S. and Mexico beginning at the center of the mouth of the Rio Grande, with the U.S. having "maritime jurisdiction" over its portion and Mexico having jurisdiction over its portion.
Earlier in the day Trump fans watching the inauguration on screens at the Capital One arena loudly booed and chanted, "Lock her up!" as Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, took their seats at the Capitol.
Trump started the "Lock her up!" chants when he ran against Clinton — whom he called "Crooked Hillary" — for the presidency in 2016.
Jennifer Bowers Bahney
January 20, 2025
RAW STORY
Hillary Clinton laughing (Krista Kennell / Shutterstock.com)
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton couldn't help but laugh when Donald Trump said that he was signing an executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
Trump made the vow during his inaugural address inside the Capitol on Monday.
"America will reclaim its rightful place as the greatest, most powerful, most respected nation on earth inspiring the awe, admiration of the entire world" Trump said during his inauguration speech. "A short time from now, we will be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and we will be restoring the name of a great president, William McKinley, to Mount McKinley, where it should be and where it belongs."
Clinton can be seen giggling to herself while keeping her eyes lowered. No one around her seemed to notice.
CBS News reported, "During the transition, Mr. Trump had vowed to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said last week that she would direct her staff to draft legislation for the renaming that would make it effective on federal maps and administrative policy. While the name change could be applied for federal references, other nations would have no obligation to follow suit."
According to the U.S. State Department, the Gulf of Mexico is officially split between the U.S. and Mexico beginning at the center of the mouth of the Rio Grande, with the U.S. having "maritime jurisdiction" over its portion and Mexico having jurisdiction over its portion.
Earlier in the day Trump fans watching the inauguration on screens at the Capital One arena loudly booed and chanted, "Lock her up!" as Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, took their seats at the Capitol.
Trump started the "Lock her up!" chants when he ran against Clinton — whom he called "Crooked Hillary" — for the presidency in 2016.
Ron Johnson 'totally supportive' as MAGA economist calls to rename Greenland to Trumpland
RAW STORY
January 20, 2025
U.S. Senate/screen grab
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) said he was "totally supportive" of purchasing Greenland after MAGA economist Stephen Moore suggested renaming the autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark to "Trumpland."
During a Sunday "Inaugural 2025" discussion of Trumpenomics 2.0 sponsored by Moore's Unleash Prosperity think tank, the economist presented a map with "Trumpland" in place of Greenland. The map also featured the "Gulf of America" for the Gulf of Mexico and named Canada the 51st state. Mexico was called "The Other Side of the Wall."
"This is the map of what the United States might look like. And I want to get serious.," Moore announced. "By the way, I don't think we should call it Greenland anymore. It should be called Trumpland, right?
"What do you think about the idea of the United States purchasing Greenland?" he asked.
"Well, first, I understand the strategic importance of both Greenland and the Panama Canal," Johnson replied. "So I know the mainstream media, or legacy media, is criticizing and ridiculing Trump for it. It's not insane by any stretch of imagination."
"So if we can do a good deal of Greenland, I'd be totally supportive of it," he added.
U.S. Senate/screen grab
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) said he was "totally supportive" of purchasing Greenland after MAGA economist Stephen Moore suggested renaming the autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark to "Trumpland."
During a Sunday "Inaugural 2025" discussion of Trumpenomics 2.0 sponsored by Moore's Unleash Prosperity think tank, the economist presented a map with "Trumpland" in place of Greenland. The map also featured the "Gulf of America" for the Gulf of Mexico and named Canada the 51st state. Mexico was called "The Other Side of the Wall."
"This is the map of what the United States might look like. And I want to get serious.," Moore announced. "By the way, I don't think we should call it Greenland anymore. It should be called Trumpland, right?
"What do you think about the idea of the United States purchasing Greenland?" he asked.
"Well, first, I understand the strategic importance of both Greenland and the Panama Canal," Johnson replied. "So I know the mainstream media, or legacy media, is criticizing and ridiculing Trump for it. It's not insane by any stretch of imagination."
"So if we can do a good deal of Greenland, I'd be totally supportive of it," he added.
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